The Windows Start Button Is (Sort of) Coming Back

After months of speculation and rumors, Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8.1 (codenamed Blue) will have a Start button. The company also revealed a few more details about the update to its flagship operating system.

Dave Lee with BBC News reported, “Microsoft has confirmed a Start button is returning to the desktop mode’s taskbar of its Windows 8 operating system. The lack of the facility – which had been in every previous version since Windows 95 – has been one of the most controversial aspects of the software. However, it will not offer all the functionality previously associated with the feature.”

Bill Rigby with Reuters noted, “Microsoft said the Windows 8.1 update will have a button in the bottom left corner of the screen that acts like the ‘start’ button in previous versions of Windows. Although it will not be labeled ‘start,’ it features the Windows logo and takes the user straight to a grid of applications.”

Salvador Rodriguez with the Los Angeles Times added, “Additionally, users will have more options for what they set as their Start Screen background. Users can select images with motion or select their desktop picture (a picture of their family, for example) as the background for the Start Screen. They’ll also be able to further customize the Start Screen by arranging their apps using more tile size options.”

InformationWeek’s Michael Ender commented, “Most Win8 critics are likely to welcome this news, which suggests Microsoft is both listening to and acting on customer feedback. That said, these adjustments do not constitute a panacea for Windows 8’s woes.”